Coroners Act 1996

A coroner is not required to investigate, or continue to investigate, a reportable death if the coroner determines that —

the death is due to natural causes; and

the death is a reportable death solely because it appears to have been unexpected.

For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a coroner may determine that a death is due to natural causes if a pathologist informs the coroner in writing that, in the pathologist’s opinion, the death is due to natural causes or consistent with natural causes.

However, a determination cannot be made under subsection (1) about a reportable death if —

there is a duty to hold an inquest into the death under this Act; or

the death occurred during an anaesthetic.

If a determination is made under subsection (1), the coroner must notify the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages as soon as possible of the particulars (if any) found by the coroner which are needed to register the death.